People Over Politics

HISTORY:
KEY TO THE FUTURE

Practical politics consists in ignoring facts.

Henry Adams

***************************************************************************

At the October Council Meeting , I suggested we cut our losses and get out of the West Volusia Cultural and Conference Training Center - or is it "The Partnership Center” or “The West Volusia Training Center? I would like to bring to your attention that I come in front of this Council not as someone who has been against this from the beginning, but as someone who VOTED FOR IT!

All this began in May 2003 , with a discussion for a Tri-City Center . To
save time, I am just going to present a highlighted chronology of dates and
meetings, that have significant information about this Center.

EDAC MEETING 10/16/03: The Chamber of Commerce described with
some detail, the West Volusia Business Conference Center -where it would be located, which cities would be involved, and information about possible grants and ECHO funding.

City Council Meeting 11/05/03: Council approved a service agreement with the Chamber for 2 years at a cost of $5,000.00 per year. At this meeting, the Chamber made another pitch for the Center.

City Council Meeting 2/11/04: Approval of the Interlocal Agreement and funding commitment was requested, with Deltona putting in $2 million, Orange City $1 million (which later became $1.5 million) and a proposed contribution from DeBary of $1 million, to be paid over a 3 year period. The Chamber said that they and Daytona Beach Community College were actively involved in the project, and that once the intent of the cities was clear, the project would become a partnership between Daytona Beach Community College , Volusia County , and the 3 cities. The property would be owned by Daytona Beach Community College , the Center itself would be self-supporting, a marketing strategy would be developed and there would be room for hotels. The primary use was stated to be for educational and training purposes. Deborah Bacom, chair of the Chamber and Executive Director of the West Volusia Association of Realtors, offered needing the facility as an example, because their Association membership exceeded 700, and that they needed more space for their functions, and needed somewhere close by to meet. She stated that the Center would have a capacity for 5,000 seats, which would also support graduations and that Stetson’s facility was no longer adequate. It was discussed that the investment would be approximately $22 million, and that $4 million would be provided by the 3 cities, and the balance to come from the private sector, Daytona Beach Community College funds, and potential investments from the County. That $30,000.00 had already been allocated for a feasibility study, and that $9,000.00 was left over from those allocated funds, and that the remainder should be reimbursed to Daytona Beach Community College . (City Council defeated this by a motion of 3-2) The commitment of DeBary’s $1 million would involve a separate Interlocal Agreement, and that commitments from a hotel or other private sector should be obtained prior to commitment. A concern was stated that DAYTONA BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE was not a disinterested partner, and that research by an independent firm might have been more appropriate. A motion was made for DeBary to allocate $1 million over a 3 year period of time with, a 10% advance to fund preliminary engineering and architectural design. It was discussed that since the original study was made, there were other projects under consideration in the City, that might better benefit from these funds and that a clear benefit for the City had not been conveyed. Also stated, was there might, or might not, be long term returns on investment, that Council members might change in the interim and have different views than the sitting Council, and that Council had to consider the highest and best use of City‘s funds. In spite of all the facts and concerns, including those deficits that might occur, a roll call vote was held and the motion carried unanimously.

Orlando Sentinel Article 12/6/04: DAYTONA BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE will ask County Council for $1.6 million for new center in Orange City . Total cost expected to be about $23.7 million. Supporters expect to apply for $2.4 million in a "super grant" from Volusia ECHO grant. The County donated 37.5 acres along Veteran’s Parkway for a proposed 50,000 square foot facility.

Orlando Sentinel Article 12/17/04: County Council agrees to shell out $1.6 million to help fund a multi-purpose meeting center (In Orange City.)

Orlando Sentinel Article12/31/04: Volusia ECHO advisors to meet soon to determine who is eligible for grants. DAYTONA BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking the largest amount for an "exceptional" grant of $2.4 million, to be received in 4 installments of $600,000.00 each. ECHO advisory committee will discuss how grants will be scored for the 14 applicants.

EDAC Meeting 2/17/05: The Chamber says all partners will have "discounted use" of the facility (whatever that means). A question is raised about the location which will be opposite the Landfill. Mr. Bridgeman (from the Chamber of Commerce) stated that there were plans to shut the Landfill down. (This has been unsuccessfully attempted for many years) The Chamber is planning to relocate to the "new" facility according to Bridgeman. Resolution drafted for support of the project and passes unanimously.

2/22/05 Orlando Sentinel Article: The 9 member ECHO Advisory Committee unanimously agreed that the "Project" was worthy of the Exceptional Grant status, but did not meet the test of having to rank among the top 2 of the 14 grant applications. It came in 7th which automatically downgraded the amount of the grant to $500,000.00 (the maximum for a non-exceptional project.) There were questions about a perceived duplication of services, uncertainty of funds and college’s role in the project. They felt the college would benefit more than the community.

4/13/05 City Council Meeting: Mr. Bridgeman (Chamber of Commerce) explained again that the partners involved in the agreement would have a "discounted" usage fee and that Orange City and Deltona had already approved the Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Gunter voiced his concern regarding future operating costs the City might face. Council member Fulton suggested that quarterly reports be provided to the city by DAYTONA BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE , so that the city is not surprised in case of a deficiency in revenues. Mayor Rosamonda entertained a motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement. Mr. Fulton made the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Tillis. Mr. Carson then asked if this would include the property adjacent to Memorial Park. Mayor Rosamonda stated he would like to deal with the property issue separately. Mr. Tillis stated that "the property purchase was included with this Agenda item, so that the property could be secured for an upcoming grant application to be made in the near future." This property that was part of the single-line agenda item was a Skateboard Park . Was the skateboard park part of the Training Center ? Yes, it would be good to have a skateboard park in DeBary but it should not be slipped in as a "rider" like Congress does for their "pork barrel" stuff. It should have been sold on its own merits.

3/11/05 County Council Meeting: The County Council overrides the ECHO Advisory Board and grants $2.4 million as a super grant from Volusia ECHO. Some officials and parents stated they were tired of driving to Daytona Beach for graduations as their reason for commitment. Just how many graduations are there in someone’s life time, and is a 30-40 minute drive all that taxing as to add up to an expenditure of $2.4 million dollars?

9/9/05 : The Operational Agreement is approved and now we learn that the 3 Cities will have to pay any additional operational costs beyond user fees and State money provided to DAYTONA BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE . There has also been a cost increase of $6 million dollars before even breaking ground, which comes to a 25% increase (so far). Additionally, the capacity of the auditorium has been reduced from 5000 seats to 3500. So what do we have? Continuous cost increases; but size of facility decreases. A name change to the project, that does not sound like a Corporate Training and Conference Center . Where are the promised hotels?

And what about the new $22 million Civic Center that is being built in Daytona and already has hotel and private sector backing? It was said that DAYTONA BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE’s "noted photography programs will be part of this new Civic Center "- a program that was also supposed to be part of the Partnership Center - which is it going to be?

Where does it all end? With flooding problems, inadequate zoning and code enforcement problems, I think our City should look within rather than outside the City to the needs of our City and its residents.

Here are examples that should send red flags flying on why this is a bad idea.

1. ECHO advisory committee scores Cultural Center a low number 7 out of 14 grant applicants. Supporters ran to County Council to have the project qualify for a super grant.

2. County Council overturned their advisory committee and awarded the project $2.4 million super grant from Volusia ECHO. Supporters gave each other high-fives.

3. Peter Matulis, advisory member, who gave the project the worst score, said the center is a “great project” but he thought it would benefit the college more that the community.

4. Council member Gunter has expressed his doubts about this project from the start. He expressed concern that DeBary would have little to gain for the expense that will be incurred.

5. Council member Carson expressed his reservations at the last Council meeting and his reluctance to continue with the project as it has changed from its original proposal.

6. David Bridgeman, Vice Chairman Chamber of Commerce stated that the additional costs created another hurdle to overcome to build the facility.

7. City Attorney Ardaman pointed out that an operations agreement was not included with the inter local agreement; and that there was exposure and risk to the cities involved with this agreement.

8. County Council members agreed to forgo potential revenue in a 4 -3 vote. There were 3 nay votes, with County Council members Art Giles, Jack Hayman and Carl Persis casting dissenting votes. A vote of 4-3 is not what I would call a vote of confidence for the project, especially when it’s been changed so drastically.

9. Art Giles, Council County member, stated “it seems to me that we’re premature in wanting to remove one of the important items in there” (Forgoing revenues from a hotel or other profit making ventures) “Here we want to delete something, even before we have a building on the ground”.

What was initially proposed has been changed, I did not vote on this new deal and neither did you. I would like to know where Councilmen Tillis, Councilmen Fulton and City Manager Coursan stand on the current status of this project, knowing it has been altered after the original vote was taken. It’s a very high price for the taxpayers of DeBary to pay for a facility, let alone a change to a smaller facility with an increase in cost. Simply put: pay more get less. I think many people (you and I included) would feel that there is something wrong with having voted yes to a proposal: only to have large changes made after the vote. The amount of use DeBary taxpayers will receive compared to what the cost will be, does not warrant a yes vote on the changed proposal.

I ask that this bottomless money pit be canceled for the good of the City and its citizens. Time is of the essence. Let’s get out before it’s too late. Let’s cut our losses before they continue to mount and not let our ego of wanting to "play with the big boys" get in the way.

Let’s do it before the "spin doctors" with deep pockets mount their campaigns telling us how foolish they think we are - maybe they don’t have the fortitude to say "NO" to what has become a bad idea - but I hope YOU, our City Council members, will have the wisdom to reconsider this and say "NO."

In closing, we know where Mr. Gunter stands on this venture and last month Mr. Carson said he was dismayed at the changes reducing seating for graduations. Mr. Mayor, we know where you also stand on this issue. So any course of action rests at the feet of Mr. Fulton and Mr. Tillis. It is up to one or both of you to re-consider or not, any disillusionment I've brought before you tonight. Facts do not change if we ignore them or do nothing about them; if we can change something, we should. Of course it is my hope that you will agree with me that this is not the vision I or anyone else voted for; that expenditures are soaring before shovels are pressed into the earth, and that we need to get out of this rut which only differs from a grave by its dimensions

Lenny Marks

Co-Founder of POP

HISTORY: KEY TO THE FUTURE

HISTORY:
KEY TO THE FUTURE